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News about your rent
You will receive a letter in the next couple of weeks telling you how much rent you will need to pay from April 2022.
This year, we will be increasing rent across all our rented homes. We understand that, combined with the rising cost of living and increase in energy costs, this could cause financial difficulties.
How is my rent calculated?
Paradigm, like other housing associations, sets its rents according to rules set by the Government. This means rents increase by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as at September 2021 (which measures the rate of inflation) plus 1%. In recent years inflation has been low and so we have been able to keep increases low. However, inflation rose last year and in September 2021 the CPI figure was 3.1%. You rent will therefore increase by 3.1% plus 1%, a total of 4.1%.
Why is my rent going up?
We have to charge this rent so we can continue to provide services to our customers, improve and maintain our current homes and build homes for people who need them most. As a not-for-profit organisation, all the money we make goes into providing services and building new homes.
What should I do if I am worried about paying my rent?
Speak to us! We have a dedicated team who can help. Please contact us as soon as possible by ringing 0300 303 1010 or emailing enquiries@paradigmhousing.co.uk. We've also got lots of advice and information which will help you on the Support Hub on our website.
After you receive your letter, we will also be holding online meetings where you can speak to our team and we can help or signpost you to help with benefits and other support.
The Support Hub also has lots of information on:
- Foodbanks
- Help into work
- Managing your home
- Managing your money
- Your energy
- Your family
- Your wellbeing
Can you help make-a-difference@Paradigm?
We have big plans to transform our service to you - and we would like your help!
You should have received an email letter from us asking for your help. We're looking at all the services we provide and how we provide them, including our online services for customers. If you are over 18 living in a Paradigm home – we need your help to make sure what we plan really meets your needs and preferences, including which services are most important for you to be able to do online? Or what ideas do you have about how we keep you informed about appointments and progress (like those we get from delivery companies with updates)?
To begin with you will get involved in a few meetings to discuss your ideas and later we would like you to test out and give us your views on new online services.
If you get involved you will receive a shopping voucher for each meeting, and we can help with special requirements to support you such as borrowing IT equipment, help paying for a babysitter or carer so you can attend the meetings, or reimbursing travel costs.
Find out more on our website here or get in touch by 4 March by emailing customer.involvement@paradigmhousing.co.uk or phoning Customer Services on 0300 303 1010 and asking to speak to Rachel Whitrod, Customer Involvement Lead.
Other news
Recent disrepair calls to customers
We have been made aware that some customers have received calls from disrepair companies, claiming to be working with Paradigm. Customers are being asked to send pictures of their outstanding repairs and told they will receive compensation. Please note that we are not working with any such companies. If you are unsure of the identity of who you are talking to, please don't disclose any personal details.
If you have any repairs outstanding or you receive one of these calls, please call us on 0300 3030 1010.
Supporting our communities
Paradigm is proud to have recently awarded specialist hoarding charity P3 a grant of £12,000 to help people affected by hoarding issues regain control of their lives.
Operations Manager of P3, Fiona Hall, said: “This grant enables us to help support individuals by providing emotional, practical and holistic support to help tackle the issues they have associated to hoarding, reduce risk and increase wellbeing and quality of life.
“Thank you to Paradigm for giving P3 Charity the opportunity to deliver hoarding support to the residents of Paradigm across Buckinghamshire.”
P3 is just one of the organisations helped by our grant funding programme which focuses on supporting charities such as Citizens Advice debt and money counselling, charities supporting mental health, autism and learning disabilities, vulnerable young people, community support groups, and charities helping people to get back into employment.
To find out if you can access help from one of these charities, contact Customer Services on 0300 3030 1010.
Here to help...
Saskia Paluk, Senior Customer Service Advisor
“I’ve been Senior Customer Service Advisor for just over six months, but before that I had worked in Customer Services for nine months as an advisor. My job can definitely keep me on my toes with how many varied and challenging queries we get every day, but that’s part of what I like about it – it keeps things interesting! I have a great team to help me, not least of all my puppy who likes to keep me company when I’m on calls!”
Want to work for us?
We're hiring
If you are interesting in working for Paradigm, check out our job vacancies on our website here. It could be the start of a whole new career!
We are currently looking for skilled technicians, customer service advisors, finance staff and more!
and finally ...
Chinese New Year
We would like to wish our Chinese customers a Gong hei fat choy or a Happy New Year!
Chinese New Year, Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year, is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.
In 2022 the new year started on 1 February and celebrations last for 16 days with family functions, traditional food and a five-day lantern festival.
2022 is the Year of the Tiger. Those born in the Year of the Tiger are said to be brave, competitive, unpredictable and confident. Recent years of the Tiger were 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010.
